Bob Phelan, outreach manager of the Student Design and Experiential Learning Center (SDELC), will spend the next 13 months helping the Missouri S&T Solar House Team prepare its entry in the 2013 U.S. Solar Decathlon, to be held in October in Irvine, Calif.

As part of the management team of the design center, Phelan is no stranger to the Solar Decathlon. In 2001, he mentored the team in the management of its first house, which was entered in the 2002 Solar Decathlon. Since then, Phelan has provided various levels of support for the team’s entries in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

“Bob brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the project from his involvement with all four previous solar houses designed and built at Missouri S&T,” says Heath Pickerill, main project team advisor and director of the Missouri Local Technical Assistance Program at S&T.

In addition to helping provide a great learning opportunity for the student members of the Solar House Team, Phelan’s work will enhance the national and international reputation of Missouri S&T through the successful completion of the 2013 U.S. Solar Decathlon. Under Pickerill’s direction, Phelan will be responsible for ensuring a constructible and cost-efficient design, assisting with fundraising, and facilitating and managing construction.

Phelan has served as outreach manager of the SDELC since 2004, most notably supporting the center and its 13 recognized student design teams.

Dr. Paul Hirtz, interim director of the SDELC, will coordinate outreach activities for the design center during this period.